STORY

ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER

The 22nd Century: Mankind is Freed from Gravity

Mankind expands into the depths of space in a search for new land.
The terraformed Mars is home to colonies from various Earth countries, and mankind's push continues on to Jupiter. However, with new resources and new territory come new problems.
Mars consists of 16 counties, which are equivalent to the "states" comprising many Earth nations. Martians and the colonists of the Jovian system are ruled byEarth with an iron fist. Such people living on the frontier of civilization are called "Enders".
An irreparable rift forms between those bound by the chains of Earth's gravity and those floating free in space, and over time the hostility between the governors and the governed grows.

The Discovery of Metatron

pic02 In the course of exploring space, man discovers a new ore called Metatron.
It gains attention not only for its use as an energy source but also for a multitude of other purposes. However, the incredible energy it provides also comes to be used for military designs, as anti-Earth forces on Mars employ it to secretly develop the giant humanoid weapons known as Orbital Frames.
The Orbital Frames possess overwhelming mobility compared to Earth's LEVs, similar humanoid weapons. Once unable to compete against Earth's sheer numbers, Martian anti-Earth forces finally have a weapon with which they can fight back.

Antilia, Space Colony Orbiting Jupiter

Antilia was established along the orbit of Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, for the purpose of mining in the Jovian system.
At the same time, however, it was also used for weapons development by Nedeium Universal Technology (NUT) and Vascilia County's BAHRAM, the core of the Martian anti-Earth forces.
It is here, far from the eyes of Earth, that they have developed their new Orbital Frames Jehuty and Anubis. However, Earth learns of this and sends the United Nations Space Force (UNSF) to Antilia, and in 2172 the UNSF seizes control of the Orbital Frames and the colony itself.

2172: The Antilia Raid (Zone of the Enders)

pic03 Several months later, BAHRAM dispatches a squadron of Orbital Frames including Colonel Nohman and his aide-de-camp Lieutenant Viola Gyune to recover Jehuty and Anubis.
The UNSF's LEV units are no match for the Orbital Frames, and Antilia quickly falls to BAHRAM.
BAHRAM reclaims Anubis in the operation, but they fail to secure Jehuty. Meanwhile, a UNSF special unit aboard the Atlantis is on a mission to capture the two Orbital Frames. The ship's second-in-command, Elena Weinberg, asks Leo Stenbuck, who was caught up in BAHRAM's raid, to transport Jehuty from its current location at a military facility to the Space Port. Leo is attacked by Viola and the other BAHRAM forces, but ultimately succeeds. After delivering Jehuty to the Atlantis, they manage to escape Antilia.

BAHRAM Seizes Control of Mars (The 2nd Runner)

pic03 The year is 2174. BAHRAM's military power has grown supreme thanks to the new Orbital Frames they have developed based on Anubis. Ultimately, both Mars and Earth are forced under their control. Nohman now leads Project Aumaan, and his attacks crush the UNSF.
The surface of Mars has been scorched beyond recognition by Anubis, and Aumaan, the impregnable fortress that will solidify BAHRAM's dictatorship, is nearly finished.
However, BAHRAM must have Jehuty in order to complete Project Aumaan, and so Nohman once again attempts to reclaim it. Meanwhile, the UNSF gives up all hope of slipping through the Martian security net and abandons Jehuty in the Jovian System, hiding it from BAHRAM.

Jehuty Awakens

pic04 Dingo Egret, an LEV ice harvester working on Callisto, notices a strong Metatron reading while on duty. In the vicinity he discovers an Orbital Frame - Jehuty. Jehuty awakens, forcing Dingo to re-embrace his past as a soldier.
Jehuty, Anubis, and Project Aumaan collide on Mars for an epic final battle.

* Images are excerpts from the new opening animation.